A celebrity retreat since 1964, the newly renovated Kahala is quite possibly the best hotel in Oahu. Yet its vibe is more "family fun" than "pretentious glitz" -- think swimming with dolphins, not posing in lounges. Sure, it's your only luxury option in a quiet setting without leaving Oahu -- but it's also a great one.

Of the three luxury hotels in Waikiki -- the Moana Surfrider and the Halekulani are the others -- the 528-room Royal Hawaiian provides the most stunning design, the warmest service, and a solid collection of free little extras, turndown treats, and welcome leis.

As Waikiki's first hotel, the 1901 plantation-style oceanfront Moana Surfrider offers a dose of historic charm on one of the nicest -- albeit most congested -- stretches of Waikiki Beach. Small rooms are offset by impressive public spaces, including an outdoor courtyard with live nightly music beneath a sweeping banyan tree, and an enormous spa and fitness center.

One of Maui's most intimate properties, with 19 mostly courtyard-facing rooms and suites, a small pool, free breakfast from the top-notch Gerard's Restaurant, and a small staff that coddles guests, the Plantation Inn is a rare and lovely option in harborfront Lahaina -- but beaches are more than a five-minute drive away.

This property, a 30-story high rise at the southern end of Waikiki, is a five-minute walk from the waterfront and offers a combination of hotel-managed suites and privately owned and rented condominiums. Because of the mixed ownership, there is less centralized regulation over construction happening in the building, which some guests have complained can be intermittently loud. It is popular with guests seeking longer stays, including families and large groups, because of the option to rent suites with kitchens. The property itself has seen better days since its cameo in the opening credits of "Hawaii Five-0", but guests have fairly consistently commented on the cleanliness of rooms, and the renovated rooms are sleek and modern.

The Manoa Valley Inn is a mid-range bed and breakfast in a residential neighborhood of Honolulu. The post-Victorian property has seven uniquely decorated rooms that, like the rest of the inn, have a mix of antique furnishings and kitschy pieces. The family running the B&B provide a cozy, welcoming atmosphere and a large breakfast with both hot and cold options. For a unique experience in a less busy area of Honolulu, the inn is a good choice, but guests will need a car to get to the beach and other parts of the city.

Lahaina Shores Beach Resort offers leisure travelers an excellent home base from which to explore downtown Lahaina, Front Street, and West Maui. The resort's 199 condo-style rooms have light, tropical decor and are clean and comfortable with lanais and kitchenettes. Mountain and oceanfront views are available, but for travelers who can afford it, the views of the Pacific are worth the splurge. There's little in the way of amenities beyond a small outdoor, ocean-facing pool, and there's neither a bar nor a restaurant on-site.

Not your typical Best Western, this century-old, 34-room inn is at the heart of the historic whaling town of Lahaina. Service is minimal, there's no gym, beach, or usable pool, and rooms are small and dated, but it's still a clean and comfortable budget option with a great location across from the Lahaina Harbor.